In a letter of 1633 he acknowledges his “tardie moving,” and laments his life “as yet obscure, & unserviceable to mankind.” In a sonnet included with the letter, Milton frankly admits that he had as yet achieved nothing worthy of his abilities (“no bud or blossome shew’th”), but he is confident that there is a goal “toward which Tyme leads me, & the will of heaven” (Works 12, 322–24).

sedulous

Only if Adam and Eve are truly “sufficient” to withstand the temptation and completely “free” to stand or fall can it possibly be their own fault.